The Sympathetic Savior

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. You are kind of fired up tonight, aren't you?

That's good. That's good. I love it. Keep it. Keep it going. Keep it going. If you've got your Bible, go to Hebrews chapter 2. Hebrews chapter 2. We are in week 3 of our series called Jesus is Greater.

And our aim in this series is to show how there is no one and nothing in your life that's greater than Jesus. I hope you believe that. You already hold to that.

But if you've been waning or struggling with that, this book is intended to help you see that Jesus really is the greatest. You know, and it's interesting. I've pointed out each week.

I'll continue even this evening. The fact that this book is written to Christians who are suffering. They're going through persecution. I know there are many of you this evening, right now, that are going through a whole variety of different areas of suffering.

And this book is to encourage you. And what is interesting about the way or the angle that this book takes is you notice the author doesn't say, hey, cheer up, Christian.

You know, your life is, you know, going to get better tomorrow. Or, you know, just kind of name it and claim it and it'll all be okay. Or what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

What the author does to encourage these Christians in their suffering is not to address their circumstance. But to put their focus on Christ.

To say, listen, regardless of if it continues for several more months or the rest of your life, Jesus is worth it. Jesus is worth it.

And so there's something even to how this author approaches the issue of suffering. That what we need in our suffering is not an easier life.

What we need is a Savior. And that's precisely what this book is all about. And we're going to pick up where we left off last week here in chapter 2, picking up in verse 5.

And we'll read down through the end of the chapter. I'll ask you, if you're able to do so, to please stand as we honor the reading of God's Word. This is one of my favorite passages in the book of Hebrews, though there are many.

Verse 5 says, Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere. What is man that you're mindful of him?

Or the son of man that you care for him? You made him, for a little while, lower than the angels. And you crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside of his control. Now at present, we don't yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus.

Crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death. So that by the grace of God, he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should be the founder of their salvation, perfect through suffering.

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. And that is why he's not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, I will tell of your name to my brothers in the midst of the congregation.

I'll sing your praise. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, behold, I and the children God has given me. Since, therefore, the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things.

That through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

For surely it's not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of his people.

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Let's pray together. Father, thanks for your word to us tonight.

Come and encourage us. Come and speak to us. Lord, I know that there are many people here tonight who've brought so many things they're dealing with into this room.

And in your providential sovereignty, you've brought us to this moment to hear from you. So come and talk to us now. We pray in Jesus' name. And God's people said, amen.

Amen. You can be seated. Jamie Kennedy was a famous comedian and actor. He became popular several years ago when he created kind of one of those hidden camera, television, prank TV shows.

It was actually called the Jamie Kennedy Experiment. And on the show, he would dress up as a character. That character went by the name of Brad Gluckman, or B-Rad for short.

And B-Rad was this like up-and-coming hip-hop artist. He would always wear his hat to the side, and he would speak in street slang.

He was always promoting his new rap album called Malabute, right? And talking about how hard his life was growing up on the streets.

And the whole bit, the whole joke of it all, was that as he would talk about how hard his life was, it became very clear to everybody listening that he was not from Harlem.

He was not from the south side Chicago. Because when he would talk about how hard his life was, he would say, you don't even really know how difficult it is to grow up somewhere when the line at Starbucks is sometimes backed up into the street.

You don't even know how hard life is to come from a place where sometimes you have to wait in the line at Barnes & Noble for like 15 minutes. You have no idea how frustrating it is when you get back home and your maid hasn't changed your sheets.

And the people that he would talk to on camera would just kind of look at him and say, where did you say you were from? And he'd say, you know, I'm from the streets of Malibu.

And they'd just kind of roll their eyes at him and kind of shrug him off and be like, Malibu? Malibu, you have no idea what it's like to actually struggle.

And the whole reason his TV show became so popular, in fact, it was turned into a movie, is because it was mocking something that was very true in American culture.

It was intentionally making fun of a youth culture that would listen to a kind of gangster style music all safely tucked away in their suburban bubble.

And it would mock the music industry where often artists would fabricate a hard life, a difficult past, just as a way to try to market their music.

But they had never actually really known hardship. They'd never really known what it was like to struggle. And that's very different, isn't it, than, for example, if you listen to Jay-Z, who will talk about hardship and struggle.

Jay-Z was actually abandoned by his father at a young age. He, at times in his life, had to sell drugs just to survive. Or, for example, Johnny Cash, one of our favorites here at Faith Family, right?

At least it should be. Johnny Cash actually lost his older brother at a very young age. He was addicted to meds.

Often throughout his career, he had a very difficult relationship with his father. Or to say, watch a movie by Sylvester Stallone about a boxer who has to fight to survive.

Because if you know anything about Stallone's real story, you know that he grew up in extreme poverty. Do you know the story about his dog? That he had to sell his dog for $40 just to eat.

That's how poor Sylvester Stallone was. And there's something about that kind of music, there's something about that kind of artistry that's authentic.

It's real. Because it comes from a place where people actually know what it's like to face difficulty in trial.

Are you with me, Faith Family? You know, every single one of us this evening, we are drawn to people and we are comforted by people who have been through what we're going through.

Amen? You know that's true. And it's true in a lot of different ways. For example, if you're struggling with a newborn baby, who is most likely to help you and comfort you?

Someone who's been through that before or someone who has no idea what that's like. Or take, for example, you're trying to get your finances in order. Who's most likely to be a help to you?

Someone who has had to get their finances in order and has done well or someone who can't even balance a checkbook. If you even use a checkbook anymore, right?

Or if you are going through a very painful divorce, who is likely to help you and provide comfort? Someone that has gone through that before or someone who hasn't?

Or if you're hurting or you're grieving, maybe the loss of a loved one, who is most likely to comfort you in that? Someone that knows what it's like to lose someone or someone who simply had a very easy life?

Is everybody with me? In fact, that's why, I don't know if you're like me, but if you're like me, it's why I really don't care what Hollywood celebrities have to say about anything.

So if you do win an award tonight, don't use it as a platform to make a political speech, right? You're in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world.

Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg. So if you win, right? As the late Tom Petty once used to sing, you don't know how it feels to be me.

Have you ever felt that way? That you can't relate. You don't know what it's like to go through what I've gone through, to go through what I am going through.

Listen to me this evening, Faith Family. Please lean in. Listen, this among many things is what makes Jesus so great.

This among many things is what makes Jesus so great. And it's absolutely brilliant what the author does in this passage.

Remember, he's writing to Christians that have known suffering. They have known hardship. We've quoted this a few times. Later in chapter 10, notice what the author says.

Recall the former days when after you were enlightened, you endured a what? Say it. A hard struggle. You've known a hard life with sufferings. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to reproach and affliction.

And sometimes you were just partners with those so treated. They had known suffering. They had known a hard life, which is why the author wants to say, why would you possibly, why would you even consider turning away from Jesus?

Because if one thing is true in life, Faith Family, it's this. Notice it on the screen. That suffering is when you need the Savior the most.

Like, why would you go back? Why would you turn from Jesus to go to Judaism when in your suffering, the thing, the person you need the most is Jesus Christ?

And that's precisely the argument he lays out here. Notice beginning in verse 5. Now, it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we're speaking. It was testified somewhere.

What is man? That you're mindful of him. Or the son of man, that you care for him. You made him a little lower for a while, a little lower than the angels. And you crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.

Now, the author here begins by continuing the argument that he's been giving in chapter 1. Is everybody with me this evening? You know that when this letter was written, there were not chapter divisions, right?

So the author is actually continuing the point. There's a brief little parenthetical in verses 1 through 4 of what we know is chapter 2. But verse 5 begins or continues the argument that the author has been making.

And what has been the argument the author has been making? We talked about it last week. That Jesus is superior to angelic beings. You remember last week, right?

Because you were all here and you were all paying attention and you memorized it all, right? Just play along. That Jesus is king, right? He's the son.

He was given the name that angels never were given. Jesus is worshipped by angels. Jesus is on the throne.

Angels are gathered around the throne. Jesus is sovereign. Angels are simply ministering spirits. They are servants. And now the author is going to add another point to that list of Jesus' superiority and greatness over angelic beings.

And at first, it may seem a little odd to you, but this is the point that he's making. Jesus is greater than spiritual beings because Jesus became a human being.

He lived. He bled. He died. He died. That Jesus became a real human. And the reason why I say that might seem strange to you is because at first, you may be kind of like, well, why would being a human being make Jesus even more superior than spiritual beings?

I'm glad you asked that. Do you remember Genesis chapter 1? It's like the first page of your Bible, right? Genesis chapter 1.

And what were human beings given in the very beginning? They were given dominion over creation. They were given authority and rule.

And we have talked about this so many times. That's because we always keep coming back to the first page of the Bible because it's so important. What does it mean that human beings were made to rule?

It means they were created in God's own image. That what it means to be in the image of God is to rule, is to have sovereignty over creation, ultimately underneath God's sovereignty over everything.

Are you with me? Say yes. In other words, angels were not made in God's image. Humans were. Angels were not given dominion.

Human beings were given dominion. In fact, did you know that that's the very reason why some of the spiritual beings rebelled against God because they did not like His design?

Do you know this? Because who was made first? Human beings or spiritual beings? Spiritual beings, right?

Human beings were made on what day? You didn't know you were going to get quizzed at church tonight, right? They were made on the sixth day. It was kind of the last part or the pinnacle of God's creation before He rested.

So, spiritual beings were made first. Human beings were made last. But listen, but it was human beings made in the image of God who were given first place.

Stop me if you've heard this before. The last were made first. And what does that almost always create on behalf of the ones that were made first?

Anger, jealousy, resentment. And that's precisely what happened with some of the spiritual beings. Think about this design pattern that happens throughout Scripture.

Let me give you just a few examples of this to prove this thread throughout Scripture. Cain and Abel. Cain was made first, but it was Abel's offering that was accepted.

How did Cain handle that when his younger brother's offering was accepted and his was not? Anger, jealousy. He killed his brother.

He tried to be his brother, but he just wasn't able. Anyways, it's so bad. It's so bad. Whatever. But it woke you up.

It woke you up, right? Or what about Jacob and Esau? Jacob and Esau, the older was made to serve the younger. How'd that turn out? Jealousy, anger, division.

Joseph's older brothers hated him. Why? Because Joseph had a dream. Do you remember what Joseph's dream was about? It was about ruling over his older brothers.

And they hated that, and they essentially wanted to kill him, but eventually decided to simply get rid of him. Same with David. David's older brothers were jealous that he was chosen to be king and not them.

Think, for example, in the New Testament, the Pharisees. The Pharisees are outraged that the Gentiles get accepted. Why? Because we're Jews.

We were here first. We're the chosen people of God. How can you accept the younger? How can you accept those that come later to the purposes of God?

Or think about the prodigal son. Is the older brother thrilled that the younger brother gets accepted by the father and thrown a party? No. The older brother hates that the younger brother gets to experience this kind of grace, and he's the one that gets thrown the party.

Do you remember the parable of the workers? Is everybody tracking with me, right? You with me? The parable of the workers. Those that got hired at the beginning of the day are furious that those that got hired at the end of the day got paid the exact same wage.

Are you with me? It's a thread that runs all throughout the Bible. In other words, in Genesis 3, spiritual beings who were created first, yet placed under the dominion of human beings who came second, outrages them, and therefore they go after the design of God.

That's how God designed it in the beginning. And this dominion, this incredible design that God made in the beginning is something that David actually reflects on and is amazed by in Psalm 8.

And if you'll look at your Bibles, you'll know that in verses 6-8, it's actually a quote. The author of Hebrews is quoting Psalm 8, where David is reflecting on the glory of God in creation, and one of the things he specifically reflects on in Psalm 8 is humanity's role that God gave them in creation.

David looks up at the stars, he's amazed by it all, and then he's like, who is man that you are mindful of him? That God, and I really hope that you would be amazed at this tonight, that God would give us, human beings, dominion and authority over his beautiful creation.

When's the last time that you've stopped to think about that? And David realizes, so does the author, that we were temporarily made lower than the angels.

Why? Because of the fall. Because of sin. But one day, we will be restored to that glorious status. Are you with me? In the beginning, and in the final redemption of all things, human beings, the image bearers of God will rule and reign.

How awesome is that? And by the way, Paul talks about this. He says this to Timothy. The saying is trustworthy, for if we have died with him, we'll also live with him.

If we endure, we will also, talk to me, reign with him. You see this in the book of Revelation. Revelation chapter 20. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection.

Over such, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

In other words, the bookends of the Bible, the beginning and the end, human beings as the image bearers of God, rule and reign over all things created.

you having a bad day? Maybe you should stop and think about that and reflect on who you are. Let me give you two quick implications.

Number one, faith family, never let suffering steal your significance. Never let suffering steal your significance. Isn't this true? Isn't it true that when you're suffering and life is really hard and you're just barely making it through the day, that it's easy to begin to think of things like this.

My life doesn't really matter. What difference do I really even make? Does God really even care? You ever felt that way? I bet you, if you're honest, there's some of you that have felt that way.

And yet, here's what you're forgetting. What you're forgetting is that you, yes, you, I'm talking about you, not your neighbor, not the person behind you, I'm talking about you are very significant.

significant to God's creation. You are very significant to God's creation. And therefore, it doesn't matter what your waistline may look like or your GPA, your skin color, your marital status, your bank account.

You are of enormous value to God because you bear the image of God. In fact, notice it here on the screen, right?

You matter to God. You matter to God. Don't let suffering steal that from you because you bear the image of God. This is not egocentric or self-righteous or self-esteem.

This is that God loves human beings so much, He gave you and only you His very image.

Here's a second thing, is that never let suffering steal your security. Never let suffering steal your security. Another thing that suffering does, hardships and trials, what they do, is they make us absolutely consumed in the now.

And what we begin to forget or not think about enough is our future. Where this life is ultimately going. You know this, notice it on the screen, that you get so consumed in the now that you forget what's coming next.

Amen? I mean, doesn't suffering tend to do that in our life? And this is why the New Testament is constantly pointing us to our future.

It is constantly reminding us of how glorious your future. You are not defined by your now. You are defined by what's coming next.

And that is why the Bible will say things like this, I consider that, talk to me, sufferings of this present time, right now, are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Or here in 2 Corinthians 4, we don't lose heart, though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light, momentary affliction, I know it doesn't feel that way right now, but it's preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

Faith family, your future is a glorious future. You were created to reign and rule under God as His image bearers, even over spiritual beings, even over angelic beings.

Some of my favorite gospel songs are Negro spirituals. Many of you know this, that one of the things that many of the slaves would do as they labored in the field is that they would sing, wouldn't they?

And you know what the overwhelming majority of their songs were about. Heaven, their future. Why? Because if they only thought about their now, their now was inhumane, awful, painful.

And so that's why they were constantly singing things like, I've got a crown, you've got a crown, all God's children got a crown. And when I get to heaven, gonna put on my crown, going shouting all over God's heaven.

I got a song, you got a song, all God's children got a song. When I get to heaven, gonna sing a new song. Gonna sing all over God's heaven.

Or maybe this one is my favorite of all time. Swing low, sweet be champion.

Alright, you can be seated. We need some more soul up in here, alright? That doesn't count against my preaching time for the record, alright? But I mean, just even taking that moment and just singing about glory and thinking about that day when we will be carried home.

Like, it does, at least for just a moment, take our minds off the now, doesn't it? And makes us think about what's next and how glorious our future really is.

Faith family, do not let the suffering you're going through today steal your significance or take away your future security.

You are image bearers of God. Now, all of that is a secondary point, but I believe it's there in the text.

Here is really the primary point. The primary point the author's making is not just your greatness as a human, but that Jesus is the greatest human.

Do you see the argument? Right? You should be awake now after singing, right? You see the argument. The argument is if human beings have dominion over created things, then how much more the greatest human being, Jesus Christ?

He's not only king, He's not only sovereign, He's not only worshipped by angels, but He is the greatest and ultimate human being who rules and reigns over everything.

Now, amen, and that's going to leave us with a bit of a nagging question, particularly if you're certainly going through suffering or a bit of a skeptic, you would be thinking like, yeah, but I don't see that happening right now.

I mean, like, I don't see that on the news, I'm certainly not experiencing it in my life, like, I don't really see Jesus with all this dominion over creation, and the author actually acknowledges this.

Look at verse 8. He says, at present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to Him. And us Minnesotans, or you Minnesotans, would be like, you betcha we don't.

You betcha we don't. I don't, I don't see God ruling and reigning. What I see is a whole lot of brokenness. Like, yes, there's beauty in this world, but man, there's a whole lot of heavy.

There's a whole lot of hurt, and there's a whole lot of pain I'm going through. And the author here is acknowledging this tension between the already and the not yet.

The realities of the suffering in this life, and yet the promise of our glorious future. Put it this way, notice it on the screen, that while our future will be heavenly, there's no denying that our present is heavy.

And there are people I know in this room tonight that know that very well. That while you would acknowledge, yes, I believe my future is heavenly, my present is very, very heavy.

And you're not alone. You are certainly not alone. These Hebrews to whom this author is writing know the heaviness as well.

They have faced public abuse. Some have been thrown into prison. Their property has been stolen. We know from history that Christians were physically tortured during this time and certainly throughout Rome's ruling.

In the first three centuries of Christian history, there were no less than ten official persecutions. Thousands of Christians were tortured and put to death in horrific and cruel ways.

You're right. We don't see all things in subjection to Him. And then you think about our own experience.

Hurricanes that come through and destroy. Ultrasounds that have no heartbeat. Employers that say you're not needed anymore.

cancer that goes into remission only to return. Parents that you thought would be together forever and they aren't anymore.

And it's very easy to stand in the rubble of life and lose sight of your glorious future. Amen? Am I being real or am I being real?

all of us have experienced this. Some of us are experiencing it right now. Like I believe this about humanity. The Bible says so.

I believe Jesus is the greatest human that He rules and He reigns and that everything is in subjection to Him but I just don't see it at the present time.

so then what are we to do in the present time? What are we to do in the now as we wait for what's next?

Verse 9 But we see Him. Amen? Like just stop right there exclamation mark.

Right? We do not see everything in subjection to Him but we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels namely Jesus crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone for it was fitting that He from whom and by whom all things exist in bringing many sons to glory should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering this is so incredibly important give me just a few more moments and we'll be done but this is the most important part I believe of the passage here and it's absolutely brilliant it's just brilliant what this author does to encourage these Christians not to go back to Judaism just for the sake of safety just to avoid suffering but why they need to press forward in faith and I'm going to give you the argument that he lays out here in three parts we'll hit it quick number one is he reminds them of Jesus and his suffering remember that Jesus suffered

Jesus tasted death follow the argument the author here is given human beings are given dominion they are created to rule but human beings were made a little lower than the angels because of the fall because of sin and what's happened as a result of the fall and sin is that our life has become one of suffering and brokenness and so as a result what did God do he sent his son who temporarily was made lower than the angels what does he mean by that what he means by that is that God entered into our suffering are you following the human beings had authority over the angelic beings but they were made lower than the angels because of sin and that was suffering and brokenness so he Jesus was made temporarily lower than the angels that is he became a man and entered into our world he knows suffering he knows hardship you want to talk about a hard life you want to talk about sacrifice consider this

Paul says though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God something to be taken advantage of but he emptied himself by taking the form of a servant being born in the likeness of men being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of and not just any death death on a cross faith family your savior knows suffering he knows a hard life he has experienced grief and pain and agony the likes you can't even imagine I know you may think you can but you can't Isaiah describes it this way he was despised and rejected by men he was a man of sorrows acquainted with what grief surely he has born our griefs and carried our sorrows let me give you a thought would you like a thought here's a thought you only have to bear your grief he bore all of our grief sorrow you only have to bear your sorrow he bore all of our sorrows it was placed on him he knows what it's like to suffer and what did he accomplish through that suffering what happened as a result of that suffering verse 10 it was fitting that he for whom and by whom all things exist and bringing many sons to glory should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering for he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source that is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers jump down to verse 14 since therefore the children share in flesh and blood

Jesus himself likewise partook of the same things that through this death through his suffering he might destroy the one who has the power of death that is the devil and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery in other words follow the argument listen Jesus knows suffering but what happened as a result of his suffering victory victory like what what came out of his suffering was he won our spiritual freedom he was victorious over death he was crowned with glory and honor how was he crowned with glory and honor through his suffering through his death on the cross he defeats the evil one and wins our victory but he did that through pain he did that through tasting death for us here's another way of saying it notice it on the screen it was this is so brilliant it's so brilliant the author is saying it was his human suffering that won our human sovereignty and think about what this means like you're having a hard time focusing on success and victory because you're suffering well think about

Jesus is suffering what came as a result of that victory victory our victory in Jesus it was his suffering that won victory over Satan now Paul will continue let's continue the argument we read Philippians 2 a part of that a moment ago let's jump to Philippians 2 verse 9 Philippians 2 verse 9 says therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to everybody see that it's the same argument that the author of Hebrews is giving that Paul gives is that Jesus was obedient in his suffering to the point of death and what came as a result of that a name that is above every name dominion and authority that every tongue would confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord here's the third and final part are you ready he has them think about Jesus he has them think about Jesus success and victory through that suffering so that he will then thirdly say this there is no one you need more in your suffering than Jesus he is the sympathetic savior no one understands you more more than him how could you possibly turn away from him are you with me how could you let suffering make you turn your back on the savior when the savior is the one who knows you best the savior is the one who can identify with your suffering the most he can help you he will be merciful to you in your time of need you have a hard life

I'm sure many of you do Jesus knows exactly what it's like to live a hard human life go to him that's what you do in the meantime listen I'm almost done kinda right look it's just brilliant we do not yet see all things in subject to him but we see him and who is him a suffering savior who has won the victory and will help you and be merciful to you in your time of need you say pastor you you've done your best tonight to try to make me believe this but I still don't believe there's anybody that knows what it's like to be me really what's your issue what's your issue you say well pastor

I I've lost a child God knows exactly what that's like I've been betrayed Jesus knows exactly what that feels like I feel like I'm being punished for things I didn't even do Jesus knows exactly what that is like I'm constantly feeling this pull of temptation Jesus knows exactly what that's like pastor I'm struggling financially and I'm hungry and I'm just trying to make ends meet Jesus knows exactly what it's like to face hunger I just lost a loved one and I'm really hurting Jesus knows exactly what it's like to lose someone he loves I've been really hurt by a close friend

Jesus knows exactly what it's like to be hurt by a close friend pastor I'm alone like when I go to weddings I go to weddings alone Jesus knows exactly what that's like I'm having to forgive someone who's hurt me Jesus knows exactly what that's like yeah pastor but I feel abandoned by God Jesus knows exactly what that's like notice it here there's nothing you're going through Jesus hasn't been through for you go to him go to him how could you possibly turn away how could you possibly leave

Jesus for Judaism or anything else for that matter amen he knows what it's like to be you we're going to sing this song at the end but I'm going to read just a couple of lyrics as I close what a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer have we trials and temptations is there trouble anywhere we should never be discouraged take it to the Lord in prayer can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share Jesus knows our every weakness take it to the Lord in prayer he's the greatest amen he's the greatest and he's not just the greatest because he's sovereign king he's the greatest because he's suffering savior can

I just say that again and then I'll stop he's the greatest not just because he's sovereign king he is that he's also the greatest because he's suffering savior there's nothing and no one greater in your life than Jesus so I close with this faith family know your status know who you are do not let the world determine your image you are God's image you are God's image don't let suffering steal your significance secondly is rest in your future security do not let suffering take away what is yours in Christ you feel defeated now well it looked like Jesus was defeated but what came through his suffering what came through the appearance of defeat victory dominion a name above every name and finally trust your savior go to him run to him he is a sympathetic savior who will meet you in your time of need and he will help you because he knows you final illustration and we're done

I closed my bible so it has to be close right several years ago there was a missionary in Brazil that discovered a tribe that was experiencing a disease that was just killing them significantly and it was spreading and there was actually medical care right across the river but they wouldn't cross the river because this particular tribe believed that there were evil spirits in the river and so the missionary was trying to do everything he could to get them across the river to get the medical care that they needed and so he took them to the river and explained how to get across but they wouldn't go he put his hand kind of down in the water to show them it's okay it's just water it's fine but they wouldn't go he would wade out about waist high and say you can do this come on but they wouldn't go and finally the missionary realized there's only one way these people are going to believe me that they can cross this river and so he dove in head first swam underneath the river and on to the other side and as soon as the missionary got to the other side the whole tribe began to burst in applause and clapping and one by one they followed that man across the river faith family if the sufferings of this life are making you consider going back today find comfort in the one who has gone through what you're going through he's crossed the river he's lived the hard life and you can follow him by faith today and he promises you he will get you to the other side and all

God's people said amen let's pray together Lord thanks for your word to us tonight I do hope that it is an encouragement to us and as we come to this time where we are going to remember the cross what a perfect passage for us to have prepared us to reflect on the sufferings of Jesus and there are many here tonight that I know that have lived a hard life some even right now have had a really really hard day and tonight we come to the one we need most the wonderful counselor the prince of peace but even more than that a savior who knows what it's like to suffer the one who lived the hard life and he did it for us because he loves us he wants to bring victory in our life and so we come to the cross tonight in remembrance of the one who bore our grief who was who was pierced for our transgressions and we pray it in Jesus name amen may!